The Marine Eco-label Japan Council, MEL, which certifies fishery and aquaculture producers responsible for the sustainable use of fisheries resources and their management, as well as processing and distribution businesses that handle marine products. The MEL for aquaculture has at least two types of certifications- individual and group (or collective). Aquaculturists certified with MEL has increased in number due to a wide spread of the group type. This paper purposes to clarify the development of aquaculture certification, and to identify the peculiarities of organization and activities of two groups in Western Japan. A processing and distribution company in Ehime Prefecture acts as the group secretariat, the same way as does a fishery cooperative association (FCA) in Hiroshima Prefecture. Whatever the type, the group secretariats prepare required documents and supports the group members to ensure proper production in accordance with the MEL standards. Although it may be difficult for individual aquaculturists to apply, both the company and FCA play a significant role in their applying for MEL responding in line with the food chain.
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